Tufting attachment for sewing machines



June 1l, 1935.

J. G. RUSSELL TUFTING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Original Filed Deo. 9, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 6 Sheets-Shree?I 2 J. G. RUSSELL June 1l, 1935,

TUFTING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Original Filed Dec. 9,V 1929 .lunev 11, 1935. J. G. RUSSELL 2,004,834

TUFTING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Original Filed Deo. 9, 1929 45 Sheets-Sheet 5 Julian G. Russell,

June 11, 1 935. J. G. RUSSELL 2,004,834

TUFTING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING' MACHINES Original Fil'ed Dec. 9, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 11, 1935.` J. G. RUSSELL 2,004,834

TUFTING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES original Filed Dec. 9, 1929 e sheets-sheet 5 0n/P50 .mman G. Russen;

atto: mq

June 1l, 1935- J. G. RUSSELL I TUFTING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Originl Filed Dec. 9, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Julian G- Russell,

Patented June 11, 1935 PATENT OFFICE TUFTING ATTCHBIENT FOR SEWDIG MACHINES Julian Guy Russen, North Chattanooga, Tenn.,

assigner, by mesne assignments, to Carter Brothers, Incorporated, Chattanooga, Tenn., a corporation of Tennessee Application December 9, 1929, Serial No. 412,821

Renewed July 19, 1933 34 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in tufting attachments for sewing machines for making tufted work on sheeting or Woven fabrics, and the present application embodiesv improve- 5 ments on the machine set forth in the patent of J. M.r Gladish, No. 1,575,570, dated March 2, 1926.

The present device embodies many of the features of the patent referred to, with certain additional elements which cooperate with and improve the operation of the former machine.

The prior machine was designed to produce a series of loops or tufts in regular sequence in sheeting or fabrics. 'This machine included a reciprocating needle carrying a strand of yarn or thread, and operating to produce and secure suc-4 cessive loops in stitch-like form in the fabric. The loop forming mechanism included a bill or looper reciprocating toward and from a fixed abutment, the bill being designed to pass between the needle and the strand carried thereby While the needle was in lowered position. Cooperating with the looper bill in the formation of the loop was a reciprocating loop retainer or gripper arm, which gripped or engaged a portion of the loop against a stationary abutment or stud during a part of the looping operation, which gripper arm, in addition to its reciprocating movement toward and from the xed abutment, also had a swinging movement substantially at righi; angles to the reciprocating movement, thereby sliding the yarn or thread on the face of the stud or abutment, which operation was accompanied by considerable friction, and in some cases the stitches were pulled out ofthe goods. The present invention is intended to overcome these defects.

One of the objects of the invention, therefore, is to provide an oscillating gripper rest which cooperates with a gripper arm or loop retainer similar to that employed in the Gladish patent. By the use of the oscillating gripper in place of a stationary stud, as in prior practice, friction is done away with, and it is possible to grip the yarn employed for making the tufts much more tightly than in prior practice, without any danger of pulling the yarn out of material being sewe'd. I

Another feature of the present invention is an auxiliary gripper which cooperates with the gripper previously employed and prevents the yarn from pulling out of the material while the needle is making an upward stroke. This gripper works against a stationary stud or abutment, and has an oscillating movement toward and from the stud.

Another object of the invention is toprovide an adjustable rest-,for the looper bill or loop forming mechanism, so that a snug fit between the looper and its rest may be obtained.

Another ob'ject of the invention is to provide an improved means for varying at will the length of stitches, such means according to the present embodiment of the invention comprising `a yoke which may engage with any one of a plurality of cams of different dimensions.

A further object of the invention is to improve the throat plate of the machine, and preferablyalso the presser foot, by providing means which cause the stitches previously formed in the material being sewed upon to enter grooves which guide the stitches and keep them out of the -Way of the needle which is now forming anotherline of stitching.

Another object of the `invention is the improvement of the looper bill and the looper rest which cooperates therewith.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference tothe accompanying drawings, setting forth a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings Fig. -1 is a side elevation of a sewing machine with the improved mechanism constituting the invention applied thereto, and the enclosing means or work support removed;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of a part of the sewing machine below the presser foot and throat plate;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section on an enlarged scale on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation `on an enlarged scale of certain parts of the working mechanism, showing the needle in fully depressed stroke, and the position of the adjacent mechanism when the needle is in such position,"dotted lines indicating the position of parts when the needle is passing through the goods;

Fig. 4a, is a view'similar to Fig. 4, showing the needle going up and the parts in the positions which they assume at this stage of the operation;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the needle elevated to its highest position and the improved mechanism in a position for forming and completing the loop tuft;

Figs. vo, 7, 8 and 9-are diagrammatic "views showing the relation of certain of the working parts which are features of the present invention, namely the main gripper, the movable gripper rest and the auxiliary gripper, and showing their positions relative to a stationary gripper rest;

Figs. 10, l1 andv 12 are transverse vertical sec` tions taken a short distance inside ofthe needle `and looking to the right in Figs. 1 and 2, these views being intended to illustrate the operation of the needle in the formation of 1oops,*and the severance of the latter to form tufts;

Fig. 13 is`a perspective view on an enlarged scale, showing the throat plate and intended to illustrate the novel features thereof;

Fig. 14 is a detailed sectional view throughthe presser foot and throat plate, and showing the cooperating features thereof whichl permit goods having a line of stitching already formed thereon to pass through the machine without such stitching interfering with theoperation of the needle in forming a new line of stitching; y

Fig. 15 on Sheet 3 isa perspective View showing the yoke mechanism employed for varying atfwill the length of stitches employed;

Figs. 16 and 17 are detail sectional views on lines |6-I6 and |1|1 respectively' of Fig. 2;

Fig. 18 is a. detail perspective view designed to vshow the operation ofthe looper and cutter mechanism, -at a time when the needle is raised, and the adjacent` parts of the mechanism are as indicated in Fig. 11; and

Figs. 19 and 20 are detail views corresponding with Figs. 10 and 11, and designed to illustrate the operation of the looper bill, and showing such looper bill and adjustable'looper rest with which the bill cooperates.

General construction The mechanism embodying the feetmes er the present invention is shown applied to a well known sewing machine, and has features in common with the apparatus described in Gladish Patent N0. 1,575,570, granted March 2, 1926.y As

illustrated, the machine includes the usual sup-- ,porting bed or base 5 (Fig. 1), an upwardly and outwardly projecting xed arm or goose neck 6 having a head 1 'atthe left or forwardend there- 'of and a-'main shaft' 8 extendinglongitudinally over the'bed and through the lower portion of the arm 6. A driving pulley 9 is-mounted on a portion of the shaft 8 extending to the right beyond the arm 6, and an eccentric |8 is mounted on the shaft adjacent the driving pulley 9. The eccentric |8 is provided with a connecting rod attached to a rocker arm I2 fulcrumed on one side of the nxedarm or goose neck 6, as at I3, and

having its other end clamped or otherwise secured to a needle bar |4, reciprocatingly mounted in the head 1. provided with a removable needle I 5 in the/lower end thereof. .f- The sewing machine mechanism also embodies a presser foot bar I8 'provided with means for raising and loweringI the bar. A presser foot |1 at the lower end of the bar |6 is of' essentially the usual form, which presser foot is shown in detail in Figs. 10, 11, 12 and 14.v The presser foot I1 is disposed tov cooperate with a throat plate |8 (Figs. 13 an'd 14), removably mmmted in a work support I9, the said work support servingalso to cover the "mechanism and to protect the same from dust, dirt a'nd the/like'. Certain details of the throat'plate are novel and this plate willy be described more fully with reference to the novel features hereinafter. In moet of the Asusual, the needle bar |4 is- Feeder mechanism and adjustable yoke The sewing machine structure also includes a feed arm 28, clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, which arm is hinged at its rear end |21 to the hinge member of aframe 2|, which frame I have termed a rocker support. This frame, 2| or rocker support is itself hinged at its lower portion as at |28, as illustrated in Fig. 3, so as'to be free to move forwardly and rearwardly. 'Ihe feed arm 28 may be swung upwardly and downwardly with reference to the rocking support or frame by any suitable means cooperating with the main drive shaft 8. As shown in Fig. 3, an angularly bent strip 96 is secured to the under side of the arm 28, which strip has a horizontal portion 91 extending beneath a cam 98 on the shaft 8. The arm 28 and the horizontal portion 91 of the strip 96 thus form a yoke, which embraces the cam 98. whereby a swinging upward and downward movement is imparted to the feed arm. If desired, lubricating material 95 may be provided for oiling thev mechanism.

To impart forward and rearward movement to the feed `arm 28, means are provided for swinging the rocking support or frame 2| about the pintle- |28 to which the frame is hinged. As shown in Figs. 2 and 15, the rocking frame 2| is provided with a laterally extending portion |29, enlarged as at 138, on which enlargement a yoke connection generally designated 22 is mounted in such manner as to p'ermit the yoketo swing about a vertical pivot |3|.

By reason of this pivoted connection, the yoke may be -`swung, to engage any one of a plurality of cams 23, 23a and 23h, mounted on one end of the main driving shaft 8. The purpose of this arm 28 and thus vary the extent of feed, de-

pendent on the length of stitching desired.- This wardly so as to4 t under one of the cams as in yoke adjustment is to vary `the stroke ofthe feed dicated at |33, and said bar at its forward end is bent upwardly at |34, ending in a bifurcation |35. Hinged to the barI 32 at |36 is a cooperating member |31 of the yoke which is designed to extend over the proper cam member, and the forward end of such pivoted member extends through the bifurcation |35. For holding the hinged member |31 in position, an arm |38 is pivotally mounted as at |39 in the bifurcation |35, and one end of the member |38 is attened as at |48. At' the other end'of the arm 38 is an angular projection 4| which is designed to engage the member |31 when the arm |38 is in loweredposition. By raising the arm |38 so that its flattened end |48 is disposed toward the member |31, the member |31 may be raised so as to permit the yoke as a whole to be swung about the pivot I3I.

To provide means for adjustably and yieldingly holding the yoke in operative position relative to one of the cam members, a flat spring |42 is provided which may be secured to a head |43 on the spring |42 carries at the opposite end a bar |44 which is provided with a plurality of grooves |45, |45al and |45b, vcorresponding respectively to the cams 23, 23a and- 23h. This bar exerts a yielding pressure upon the lower arm |32 of the yoke member, which may be suitably engaged in any one o'f the grooves, depending on the length of stitching desired. The effect of the cams is to move the yoke up and down, which motion is transmitted through the enlargement |39 and vextension |29 to the rocking support 2|, so that the feed armA 20 will be "moved forwardly and rearwardly at regular intervals, while at the same time the camv 98 previously described serves to raise and lower'the arm 20, thus imparting movement in four directions to the feed arm.

The feed Aarm 20' carries toothed or serrated feeders 24 (Figures 2, 3' and 10 to 13) working throughy the throat plate I8 in the manner usual in sewing machines, the said feeders being parallel and separated by va channel or throat 25.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that the feeders 24 have four motions imparted thereto, so as to regularly engage with and disengage from the work on the work support I9, and to positively advance the work in accordance with the operation of feed devices of this class.

The sewing mechanism is also provided with a suitable tension pulley 26 1), mounted .at the rear end of the goose neck Ii. A thread or .strand 21 passes first beneath `-said pulley 26, thence through a spring loop 26', and beneath a spring arm 28 and over tension pulley 28, on which the spring 28 is mounted. The thread is then passed through an opening 16| in a ten sion sleeve |58, similar to that shown in the pending application of John M. Gladish, Serial No. 220,698, filed Sept. 20, 1927. This tensioning means will be more fully described hereinafter. The thread 21 passes from the tension sleeve |58 downwardly through the eye of the needlev |5 (Fig. 18). i y

The mechanisms described above do not involve features of the present invention, and improved attachments may be applied to various well known standard -sewing machines, the one previously described being suitable and illustrating one practical application of the improvements. It will be understood, however, that the improved attachment mechanisms may be applied to other sewing machine mechanisms having essential parts similar tothose described. The power for the operation of the improved attachments may be obtained direct from the main or drive shaft 8 of the sewing machine, without requiring the use of separate driving mechanism, and in the present instance, the improved attachments are applied and held by the usual base 5 of the sewing machine. l

Many of the features now to be described are or 4may be in general similar to those shown in Gladish Patent No. 1,575,570, dated March 2, 1926, and the improvements over the said patent'will be particularly referred to, such improvements cooperating in a novel manner with the features of the already existing mechanism.

Gripper operating mechanism On the main or drive shaft 8, a cam 29 is secured (Figs. 2 and 16), which cam is engaged by a yoke 30 secured to a longitudinally shiftable rock shaft 3| mounted in bearings 32 and 33 extending upwardly from the base or bed 5. Cam 4 29 through the medium of the yoke 30 imparts a C rocking movement in opposite directions at intervals to the rock shaft 3|.

At a suitable distance in advance of the cam 29 on the shaft 8 is a set collar 4| having a cam member 42 fixed thereto, this cam member being provided with a cam projection 43 which serves as a depressing means in connection with cooperating elements which' will now be described.

Between the bearings 32 and 33 a collar 41 is secured to the longitudinally slidable rock shaft 3|, said collar carrying an angular tappet 46, said tappet having a front right angular arm 48 which extends in parallel relation to the shaft 3 Below the forward extremity of the rock shaft 3| -is a transversely extending lrock shaft 50 (Figures 1, 2, 4, and 4a) provided with an angular extremity 5| which extends under the shaft 8 and the cam member 42, the cam projection 43 rof the latter member engaging the free extremity of said angular extremity 5| Ito depress said extremity and rock the shaft 50 at regular timed intervals. The shaft 50 also extends through the lower portion of the bearing 33, and its bearing 49 is secured to the front edge of the base 5.

Secured onI the' shaft 50 and projecting upwardly in front of the bearing 33 is a tappet pin 5|a (Figs. 1, 2, 4, 4a and 5), which engages the free end of .the arm 48, and imparts a longitudinal movement to the rock shaft 3| in the bearings 32 and 33. This results in a shifting of the yoke 3U longitudinally with reference to the rcam 29, the said cam beingl of suiiicient length to allow for the shifting of the yoke relatively thereto without disengagement from the cam member. The rock shaft 3| is longitudinally shifted against the resistance of a spring 52, which is mounted on a rod 44 extending longitudinally beyond the shaft 3|, the end of said shaft 3| being hollowed out' to slidably receive said rod 44. The spring 52 reacts between the yoke 30 and anut 53 mounted on and having screw-threaded engagement with the threaded end of the rod 44, said threaded end engaging a fixed stud 54 extending outwardly from the lower end of the goose neck B. The tension of the spring may be adjusted by adjusting the nut 53 longitudinally of the rod 44. The arrangement of the tension spring 52 differs from and is an improvement over the arrangement of the corresponding elements in Gladish Patent No.

Loop retainer or gripper arm On the end of the rock shaft 3| opposite to that` on which the yoke 30 is secured, a head 55 (Figs. 1 and 2) is firmly xed, and has a forward transverse extension 56 invwhich the rear end of a shank 51 of a loop retainer or gripper arm 58 is secured. This loop retainer or arm has a forward flattened holding extremity 59 with 'a serrated free end 6|) (Figures 6 to 9). The loop retainer or gripper arm 58 is extended rearwardly by a bend 6| relative to the shank 51 and continues into said flattened extremity 59, as clearly 'shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9. The said loop retainer or gripper arm 58 is also extended upwardly'above the plane of its shank 51 so as to properly position the flattened extremity 59 Movable gripper rest According to the present embodiment, a movable gripper rest |84 is employed which oscillates wlth'the gripper 58, this being one of the novel features of the invention. According to the previous embodiments of the invention, the gripper 58 worked against a stationary stud, and it was necessary for the gripper to slide the yarn or thread on the face of the stud,'whereas by the use of the movable gripper rest |84 which operates in conjunction with the gripper`58, friction is avoided,A and consequently more pressure may be exerted on the gripper 58 without pulling the thread out of the material which isbeing operated upon. y

As shown in Figs. 2 and 17, a yoke |80 is mounted on a circular boss 8| projecting from theleft-hand sideof the post 33. This boss |8| is concentric with the rock shaft 3| which carries the yoke 30, but is not movable from right to left as is the said rock shaft 3|. The yoke |80 is provided with fingers which straddle a cam |82 mounted on the shaft 8`some distance to the left of the cam member 43, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The cam |82 isshaped similarly to and when the sleeve |85 is rocked an arm |9| secured to the upper portion of the sleeve is oscillated to and fro. At the forward end of the arm |9| there is a bend |92 (Fig. 6), the bent portion |93 (Figures 6 to 9) forming an auxiliary gripper arm which is serrated as at |93', form- Aing teeth similar to the teeth 60 ofthe gripthe cam 29 (Fig. 16) to impart to the yoke |80 a rocking movement in synchronism with the yoke 30. The yoke carries an arm |83 which extends in front of and substantially parallel with the shank 51 of the gripper arm 58. At its forward end the arm 83 is bent at substantially a right angle, providing a rearwardly extending gripper rest portion 184, which moves forwardly and rearwardly in synchronism with the loop retainer or gripper arm 58. .The gripper arm 58 has in addition a movement toward and from the gripper rest |84, due to the reciprocating movement which is impartedto the shaft 3l by the oscillating member 5| a previously described.

No. 1,575,570, the gripper 58 alone was employed, whereas according to the present invention an additional gripper is employed which cooperatesf with' the gripper 58 the two devices forming a double gripper. which hold the yarn duringdifferent stages of the loop forming operation, and prevent the same from pulling through the material which is being sewed. The additional gripper has a swinging or oscillating mouement about a vertical pivot, and swings toward and from a fixed abutment or gripper rest |104, which will be more-fully described hereinafter, but has no movement at right angles to the swinging movement.

As shown in Fig. 3, a sleeve |85 is mounted on a post or vertical pivot |86, and from the lower portion of the sleeve there extends a lever arm |88 at the end of which is a contact member |89 (Fig. 2), which engages a. cam |90 on the main shaft 8 at a point slightly to the left of the yoke |80 which operates the gripper rest. The cam |90 through the medium of lever arm |88 rocks the sleeve |88 about the pivot |88,

per 59.

The auxiliary gripper arm |93 is moved in one direction by means of the cam 90 previously described, and in the other direction by. means of a compression spring |91. As shown in Fig. 2.a rod |94 extends laterally from the arm or shank v I 9 the end of the rod opposite said shank being slidable through a post |96. The compression spring |91 surrounds the rod |94 between the post |96 and a nut |98 on a screw-threaded portion of the rod |94. Suitable adjustment of the compression of the spring may be secured by rotating the nut |98 on the rod |94. I'hus the camy 90 moves the gripper arm |93 away from the abutment |04, while the spring |91 moves it in the opposite direction.

Cutter and looper rock: shafts Referring further to features substantially in common between the present device and Gladish Patent No. 1,575,570, it will be noted that a short distance in advance of the bearing 49 (Fig. 2) a pair of bearing members 62 are secured both at the front and rear portions of the bed or base 5, and therein are mounted transversely extending parallel rock shafts 63 and 64 designed primarily for operating the cutter and looper mechanisms respectively. The shafts 63 and 64 extend under and at right angles to the main drive shaft 8. Secured on the shaft 8 above the rock shaft 63 is a cam cylinder 65 having a cam groove 66, and secured on the shaft 63 is a rocking head 68 (Figs. 3 and 4) with aside extension 69 having an opening 10 in which a rearwardly projecting pin 1| is mounted, the' said pin engaging the camgroove 66 of the cylinder 65 and being held in the opening 10 by a set screw 12 inserted in the side vextension 69.

From the above description it will be obvious that rotation of the main drive shaft 8 will, through the medium of the cam cylinder 65 and the cam groove 66, serve to oscillate the rock shaft 63.

0n the shaft 64 is secured a tubular rocking head 8| (Figs. l, 2 and 4f)v having an angular actuating arm 82 (Fig. 2) extending rearwardly therefrom and beneath the main drive shaft 8 and under a cam member 83 fixed to or forming part "of a cam collar 84 secured on the main drive shaft 8. Thus the movement of the drive shaft also oscillates the shaft 64.

The principal function of the shaft 63 is to operate a cutter mechanism 15 and also a m'ov- -able needle guide bar 200, both of which will be subsequently described. Similarly, the principal function of the shaft 64 is to ,operate a looper 92, which will be described in detail hereinafter. A

Cams 66 and 83 on the main drive shaft 8 serve to oscillate the shafts 63 and 64 in one direction and suitable coil springs 11 and 85 (Fig. 2) are provided for rocking the shafts 63 and 64 in the opposite direction. As shown, spring 11 is mounted on shaft 63 adjacent the forward portion thereof,' and one end is looped about a pin 2|| extending from a collar 209 fixed to the end of the shaft 63. A similar collar 2|0 is mounted on the shaft 84, and one end of spring 85 engages .together moving rearwardly. Iclearly illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, and

arated from the bearings 62 on theframemem-d ber by means of spacing sleeves 2|6 and 2|1 secured to the shafts 63 and |54 respectively. The tension of the springs11 and 85 serves to hold the actuating devices 1| and 82 which operate the shafts 83 and 64 rmly against their respective cam members 66 and 83, and as soon as said actuating devices ride off of the projections of the cams, the springs 11 and 85 rock-the shafts in the opposite direction.

Extending upwardly from the rocking head 68 on shaft 63 is a cutter supporting arm 13 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) having' a suitable screw threaded opening in the free extremity thereof to receive a set screw 14, this screw also passing through a reversible rectangular shaped knife or cutter 15, as shown in Figs. 4, 4a and 5. When it isdesired to cut the loops as formed, the knife or cutter 15 will be secured and firmly held in the free extremity of the arm 13, but when it is desired to produce a tufted fabric with uncut loops, the knife or cutter 15 may be removed by disengaging the set screw 14 from the extremity of the armt13. The upper and lower edges of the knife or cutter 15 are similarly sharpened and when one edge becomes dull, the knife may be r reversed to bring into operation its opposite sharper edge, thereby materially saving time in the effective operation of the machine o'r the cutting implement of the latter.' It will also be understood that a number of these knives or cutters 15 will be furnished as a part of the equipment of the machine, and a new cutter may be readily applied to the arm 13 to replace another in the event of excessive wear, and moreover, any one of the cutters may be sharpenedvto a certain extent without impairing the operation of the cutting mechanism.

Needle guide One of thefeatures of the present invention renderednecessary by the use of the oscillating gripper rest |84, in place of the stationary rest as in Gladish Patent No. 1,575,570, is an oscillatingneedle guide bar 200, which moves over to the left rearwardly of the needle I5 at such time as the gripper varm 58 and gripper rest |84 are This position is at such time -the bar 200 acts as a guide for the lower portion' of the needle and prevents it from being moved out of alignment by the action of 4the members 58 and |84 referred to above, which might otherwise have a tendency to pull the needle out of vertical position. As soon as the needle is raised' and the cutter 15 comes into position for severing the loops of yarn, the needle guide is moved to the right and out of the way of the cutter. Y

As shown in Fig. 3, the needle guide bar 200 is mounted on the end of a horizontal shaft 20|, which is secured in an extension of a sleeve 202, which sleeve is located just in front of the sleeve |85 which operates the` auxiliary gripper arm. Sleeve 202 is mounted on a vertical post 203, and is adapted to be oscillated thereon. To impart movement to the guide bar, an extension 204 of said bar is provided with anaperture 205. Rigidly mounted on the'shaft 83 is a collar 206 which is provided with a radially extending oscillating nger 201 having a rearwardly bent portion which passes through the aperture 205, and in this manner oscillation of the shaft 63 serves to oscillate the needle guide bar 200 intimed relation to the needle I5 and cutter 15.

e Looper, mechanism As heretofore described, there is secured on the shaft 64 a tubular rocking head 8| having an angular actuating arm 82 extending rearwardly therefrom beneath the main drive shaft 8 and under a cam member 83 fixed to or forming a part of a cam collar 84 secured on the' main drive shaft 8, as shown in Figures 2, 4 and 4a.

In the tubular head 8| a shank 89 is secured, which has on the upper extremity thereof a looper hook or extended bill 90. 'I'his hook includes a rearwardly extending looped portion 9| with'an outwardly projecting tapered bill 92, which is reduced to a point at 93 (Figs. 18, 19 and 2,0) and is so proportioned and generally shaped as to cooperate closely with the needle 5 and with surety pass through the looped thread or strand lowered with the needle, the outer edge of the loop or bill 92 moving close to the rear portion of the needle and with nicety passing between the needle and the portion of the thread or strandI at the rear thereof to retain a part of the thread in lowered position so as to produce the loop when theneedle moves upwardly. When the looper, as just explained, reaches the outer limit of its stroke (shown in Figure 5) and has performed its function, the arm 82 will pass over the high portion of the cam member 83, and the spring 85 will instantly elevate the arm 82v and rock the head 8|, the shank 89 and the looper hook or bill 90 in the opposite direction into its outermost position shown in Fig. 4, the intermediate position of the looper mechanism being illustrated in Fig. 4a. The bill v90 is similar to that shown in Gladish Patent No. 1,575,570, but in the present instance is not slotted at the for ward end thereof as shown inthe patent.

Fixed gripper rest and looper rest abutment member |04 is in the form of a bar bent intermediate its ends and secured by means of a screw to the top of the post |00. This abutment member extends just short of the path of the needle and forms a xed abutment for the additional gripper |93, previously described (see Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9). m

The abutment |03 is carried by a. bolt |05 extending through a vertical slot |02 in the post and engaging said abutment as at |06. Thus said abutment may be raised or lowered slightly by releasing said bolt and moving it upwardly or downwardly in the slot 02 and again tightening it. The abutment |03` is\shaped soas to permit 4the cutter 15. to just pass the same. It position is adjusted so as to allow the looper 92 to pass over it and to provide a snug fit between the two members (see Figs. 18 and 20) By makthe goose neck 6.

separate from the fit may be secured.

Presser foot and throat plate The presser foot |1 and throat plate I8 funcgripper rest |04, a very close tion substantially as in the ordinary sewing mais being made The presser foot and throat plate are shown in detail in Figs. 10 to 14 inclusive. 4In the remaining ngures the throat plate and work support have been removed in order to disclose the working mechanism. As shown in Fig. 13, the throat plate I8 is substantially rectangular in shape and is secured in any suitable manner to thework support I9. The rectangular slot |01 is formed in the throat plate to permit the forward end of the feed arm 20 and the feeders 24 to move freely therethrough. At the end of the throat plate opposite the slot |01 a' tongue |08 is provided, having short narrow slots |09 (Figure 13) at the sides thereof into which the work feeders 24 enter, and a central slot ||0 through whichthe needle I5 passes. The tongue |08 has been specially designed in the present instance to guide rows of stitches previously made in the goods, and to prevent them from getting in the way of the needle while another line of stitching is being made. As shown, the tongue includes a rounded raised portion 2 I 8, at the sides of which are grooves 2|9. As indicated in Fig. 14, the presser foot |1 is similarly modied, being provided with a downwardly extending rounded tongue 22,0 with grooves 22| at each side thereof, which mate with the grooves 2|9 in thethroat plate and provide free avenues of approach for lines of stitching A already made in thefabric B, while the fabric is being presented to the needle I5 for forming a new line of stitching at a point midway between the two grooves 2|9. Thus the raised tongue or boss on thethroat plate presses the lines of stitching on either side of same into the grooves and effectively keeps them out of the way of the needle in making a. new line of stitch- Presser foot bar lreleasing mechanism The upper portion of the presser foot. bar I6 is engaged by the forward end of a lifting lever ||5 fulcrumed as at ||6 on the rear portion of This lever has a bar I|1 attached to and extending rearwardly from the rear end thereof. A link 8 has its upper end con# nected to the rear end of the bar I |1 and its lower end connected -as at ||9 to the rear end of a lever |20, which extends to the left, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and is bent at |2|, the bent portion being jou-rnaled in bearings |22. -The lever |20 is again bent to the right as shown at |23, and then iorwardlyas at |24, the portion |24 extending beneath the projection 43 of the cam 42. 'I'he `presser foot b ar I6 is engaged by a flat spring |25 secured to the rear part of the upper portion of the goose neck .6 as at |26, as shown in dotted lines in Fig'. 1. The purpose of this combination of levers and the spring |25 is to raise the presser foot bar I6 and presser foot |1 in regular timed relation to the operation of the cam l42, and consequently in definite relation to the working parts of the machine. By means of this arrangement, the presser foot is raised to ease the feed of the fabric by the feeders 24 as it is being tufted. This easing movement of the presser foot through the mechanism just described `is slight, and against the resistance of the spring |25 which always tends to force the presser foot bar I6 and presser foot |1 downwardly. At any time the lever ||5 may be manually rocked by depressing the rear end of the bar ||1 to raise the presser foot |1 and the presser foot bar I6, particularly when arranging the work in position or dis' posing the fabric to be tufted between the presser foot and the feeders. This operationis similar to that described in Gladish Patent No. 1,575,570.

Thread tensioning mechanism The thread tensioning .mechanism has been briey referred to, and as shown is similar to that set forth in Gladish Patent No. 1,800,522, granted April 14,- 1931, except that the'tensioning mechanism in the present device is designed for use with a single needle and single thread. while in the application referred to a plurality of needles with a plurality of strands are employed. The purpose of the tensioning means is, of course, to maintain the thread in taut condition during the formation of the loops.

As shown in Fig. 1, a clamping or holding means for the thread 21 is located in the upper front portion of the goose neck 6. This device comprises a forwardly projecting bearing |55 located at the right of the machine, in which is mounted one extremity of a longitudinally shiftable slide rod |56 of which the end portion |51 is shiftable within a sleeve |58. This'sleeve has` at its forward end a tubular head |59 which is supported by a crook arm |60 secured to the upper part of the head 1 of the arm or goose neck it has v`been lreciprocated and thus holds the thread, which passes through the opening |6|,`

between the end |51 of the rod |56 and the solid end portion of the sleeve |58. In advance of the vertical member of the arm or goose neck 6 is a vertical rock shaft |64 having its lower end journalled, as at |65, in the bed 5. 'I'he upper end of. the rock shaft |64 carries a crank |61 which has an upper horizontal forwardly projecting terminal member loosely fitting in a slot |69 in the free end of a longitudinal arm |10 of an angle bracket extending from a collar |12 secured on the rear end ofthe rod |56.

For operating the rock shaft |64 a collar |13 Ais .mounted at the lower portion thereof, and

has a curved nger |14 projecting therefrom under the rear extremity of the rod 44, with its end bearing against the periphery of a cam |15 on the rear portion of the shaft 8, saidv cam |15 having a projection, which, when it engages the end of the finger |14, forces the latter outwardly and rocks the shaft |64.

The operation of this tensioning device will be evident from the foregoing description and serves to hold the thread taut while the loops are being formed in the goods, but automatically releases the thread or yarn in time for the taking of Vanother stitch, the whole operation being automatically timed in definite relation to the other operations of the machine, by reason of the fact that the cam which operates the tensioning device is The operation of the device is similar in many respects to that of the machine set forth in Gladish Patent No. 1,575,570 and is designed to form similar tufts. The same series of operations takes place as in the patent, and the elements common to the two machines operate in a similar manner. Since the principal features of novelty in the working mechanisms of the present device are the movable gripper rest |84 and the additional gripper |93, the description of the operation of the present machine will be with a view to rendering clear the functions of' these novel elementsand their cooperation with the other elements of the machine, it being understood that such old elements operate substantially in the mannerl described in the patent referred to.. Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive are diagrammatic views designed particularly to show the relative movements of the gripper 59, the additional gripper |93 and the gripper rest |84, the stationary gripper rest |04 with which the gripper |93 cooperates being likewise indicated to show the changes in the relative positions of the parts during the operation of the machine. and are side elevations likewise designed vto show the relative movements of the workingV parts. Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are detailed sectional views showing the varying relations of parts during the different operations of the mechanism. With these figures in mind, the operation of the device will be evident from the following description.

Assuming that one stitch has already been made in the fabric and that the needle I5 has been raised to its uppermost position, as shown in Figure 5, the looper hook 9 0 will extendv between the portions of the previously-formed loop which have been cut by the knife 15, of which the cutting edge will extend into the slot of the looper hook,'both portions of the cut loop will be gripped between the gripper 58 and its asso-- ciated rest |84 immediately' below the needle, the gripper |93. will be positioned against its associated rest |04, as shown in Figure 6, the presser foot |'I1will be in its raised position, the feeders 24 will bein their rearmost position, and the slide rod |56 will grip the thread. As the needle 'starts to descend to again penetrate the fabric, the slide rod |56 will be caused to release the strand, the feeders 24 will be moved 4forwardly, the presser foot will be lowered, the gripper 58 and its associated rest with theportions of the severed loop between them will be moved rearwardly below the gripper |93 and gripper rest |04 to place the portions of the loop which has just been cut between the gripper rest |04 and gripper |93, which will then be separated, as shown in Figure 1. At the same time the looper hook 90 will be moved out of the patchof the needle I5. As the needle continues to descend and-just before it commences to penetrate the fabric, the needle guide bar 200 will be moved behind the needle to guide the needle and the looper hook 90 will havebeen`moved out ofthe path of the needle, as shown in Figure 4a. When the needle has descended to its lowermost position the looper hook 90 will have been fully retracted, as' shown in Figure 4, the gripper |93 will have been moved against its rest |04 to grip the ends of the previously-formed and cut loop,

Figs. 4, 4a

and the gripper 59 and its rest |84 will be positioned, respectively, immediately below the gripper |93 and rest |04, as shown in Figure 8.

As the needle commences to rise, the gripper 59 will be moved away from its rest |84 to release 5 the portions of the cut loop and it, together with the rest |84, will be moved toward the front of the machine into the position shown in Figure 9. During this movement of the gripper 59 and rest |84 the looper hook 90 will enter between' the 10 needle and the thread to form another loop, as shown in Figure 4a, the presser foot will be raised, the feeders 24 will be moved upwardly and rearwardly to advance the fabric, the slide rod will be caused to grip and apply tension to the strand, A15 and just before the needle reaches its uppermost position shown in Figure 5 the gripper 59 will be caused to again move against its rest |84 immediately below the needle to grip the newlyformed loop, as shown in Figure'6 and the knife 20 15 will have been moved upwardly into the lon gitudinal slot of the looper hook 90 into the position shown in Figure 5 to sever the loop.- Thereupon the operations just described will be repeated.

The stroke of the feeders 24 may be varied as desired by engaging the yoke 22 with any desired one of the cams 23, 23a or 23h. The tension of th thread may be adjusted as desired by adjusting the set collar |62 longitudinally of the 30 slide rod |56 to obtain the desired tension of the spring |63. :l

All the parts of the mechanism operate in complete synchronism, and very satisfactory practical results are obtained.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a reciprocating needle, means for guiding a strand thereto, loop forming mechanism, comprising a fixed abutment, a reciprocating looper bill movable toward and from said abutment, a pair of separately movable gripper arms and abutments with which said gripper arms cooperate for holding portions of successive loops during operation of the needle to pro 45 duce successive loops of uniform dimensions.

2. In a machine of the class'specied, the combination with a reciprocating needle, means for guiding a strand thereto', loop forming mechanism, comprising a looper bill, and means for holding portions of successive loops during the operation of the needle to produce successive loops of uniform dim:nsions, said means comprising a gripper rest and a gripperarm having a reciproeating movement toward and from said gripper rest, said gripper rest and gripper arm having a swinging movement in synchronism substantially at right angles to the movement of the looper bill. i

3. In a machine of the class specified, the combination with a reciprocating needle, means for guiding a strand thereto, loop forming mechanism, comprising a looper bill, and means for holding'portions of successive loops during the operation of the nfedle to produce successive loops of uniform dimensions, said means comprising a gripper rest and a gripper arm having a reciprocating movement toward and from said gripper rest, said gripper rest and gripper arm having a swinging movement in synchronism and substantially at right angles to the reciprocating movement of the gripper'arm, a swinging cutter for severing loops formed from the strand, and a rest for supporting the lowerend of the needle while in lowered position, said rest being movable operation of the needle to produce successive loops of uniform dimensions, said 'means comprising a gripper rest and a gripper having a reciprocating movement toward and from said gripper rest, said gripper rest and gripper having a swinging movement in synchronism substantially at right angles to the reciprocating movement of the gripper, a stationary gripper rest, and an additional gripper having a reciprocating movement toward and from said stationary rest.

5. A sewing machine including a reciprocating needle and means for guiding a strand to the latter, a normally fixed looper abutment, a looper having a swinging movement toward and away from said abutment and partially movable over the latter with a snug t between the two, said abutment being adjustable to insure such close fit, and loop holding mechanism including a gripper rest and a main gripper arm unitarily movable in the direction of movement of the goods in which the loops are being formed, said gripper arm having also a reciprocating movement toward and from the gripper rest for periodically gripping and releasing portions of successive loops at different stages of the .operation of said needle, a stationary abutment above the looper abutment, and an auxiliary gripper arm movable toward and away from said second abutment and operating at different intervals than the main gripper. 6. A sewing machine including a reciprocating needle and means for guiding a strand to the latter, a normally xed looper abutment, a looper having a swinging, movement toward and away from said abutment and partially movable over the latter with a snug fit between the two, and loop holding mechanism including a gripper -rest and a main gripper arm unitarily movable in the direction of movement of the goods in which the loops are being formed, said gripper arm having also a reciprocating movement toward and from the gripper rest for periodically gripping and releasing portions of successive loops at diierent stages of the operation of said needle, a second stationary abutment above the looper abutment, ,and an auxiliary gripper arm movable toward and away from said second abutment and operating at diiferent intervals than the main gripper, and a loop cutting mechanism cooperating with said lcop forming and holding mechanisms, for severing the successive loops from the main strand carried by the needle while the needle is in raised position and while the loop is engaged by said holding mechanism.

7. In amachine for forming successive loops in intermittently advanced work material, a main loop gripper arm, and a gripper rest having a swinging movement to and fro in the direction of movement of the work material, said gripper arm also having a reciprocating movement to and from the gripper rest for periodically gripping successive loops being formed in the work material, a stationary gripper rest and an auxiliary loop gripper arm having a swinging movement toward and from the stationary rest at intervals different from the reciprocating movement of the main gripper arm.

8. In a machine of the character described, a work support to receive Va fabric thereon, a vertically reciprocating strand-carrying needle movable through the work support and fabric, means for intermittently advancing the fabric relative to the work support, loop forming` means cooperating with the needle for intermittently forming successive loopsfin the fabric from; a strand carried by the needle while the needlev is in lowered position,'and two'sets of loop retaining devices adapted jointly to hold portions of successive loops during different periods of loop formation, one set of loop retaining devices comprising a gripper rest and a main gripper arm unitarily movable with the movement of the fabric advancing means,said gripper arm having also a reciprocating movement toward and from the gripper rest, the second set of loop retaining devices including a fixed abutment and an auxiliary loop gripper movable to and from the fixed abutment at different intervals than the reciprocating movement of the main gripper arm.

9. In a machine of the character described, a work support to receive a fabricv thereon, a vertically reciprocating strand-carrying needle movable through the work support and fabric, means for intermittently advancing the fabric. relative tc the work support, loop forming nieans cooperating with the needle for intermittently forming successive loops in the fabric from the strand carried by the needle while the needle is in lowered position, and two sets of loop retaining devices adapted jointly to hold portions of successive loops during different periods of loop formation, one set of loop retaining devices comprising a gripper rest and a maingripper arm` unitarily movable simultaneously with th'e movement of the work feeding means, said gripper arm having also a reciprocating movement toward and from the gripper rest, the second set of'loop retaining devices lncluding a fixed abutment and an auxiliary loop gripper movable to and from the fixed abutment at different intervals than the reciprocating movement of the main gripper arm, and loop cutting means operating in timed relation to the loop forming means for severing the loops from the strand carried by theneedle. f

410. In a machine of the character described, a work support to receive a fabric thereon, a vertically reciprocating strand-carrying needle movable through the work support and fabric, means for intermittently advancing the fabric relative to the work support, loop forming means cooperating with the needle for intermittently forming successive loops in the fabric from the strand carried by they needle while the needle is in lowered position, and two sets of loop retaining devices adapted jointly to hold portions of successive loops during diilerent periods of loop formation, one set of loop retaining devices comprising a gripper rest and a main gripper arm unitarily movable simultaneously with the movement of the work feeding means, said gripper arm having also a reciprocating movement toward and from the gripper rest, the second set of loop retaining devices including a fixed abutment and an auxiliary loopgripper movable to and from the xed abutment at diierent intervals than the reciprocating movement of the main gripper arm, and loop cutting means operating in `timed relation to the loop forming means for severing the loops formed from the strand carried by the needle, and means for actuating said moving parts in timed relation one to the other to avoid interference one with another.

-movable gripper arms cooperating, respectively,

with said gripper rests for holding portions of successive loops formed by said looper bill from the strand carried by the needle during operation of the needle, and a' loop cutting device operating in timed yrelation to, but moving in opposite directions from said looper bill, for successively cutting loops formed by said looper bill from the strand carried by the needle.

12. In a machine of the class specified, the combination with a reciprocating needle, means for guiding a strand thereto, loop forming mechanism comprising a looper rest, a looper bill movable toward and from the looper rest, and means for holding portions of successive loops during the operation of the needle to produce successive loops of uniform dimensions, said means comprising a gripper rest and a gripper arm having a reciprocating movement toward and from said gripper rest, said gripper rest and gripper arm having a simultaneous swinging movement at substantially a right angle'to the reciprocating movement of the gripper arm, and a loop cutting device mounted to swing on a fixed axis and operating in timed relation to the looper bill, but in opposite directions from the latter, for severing successive loops formed by the looper fill from the strand carried by the needle.

13. In a machine of the class specified, the combination with a reciprocating needle, means for guiding a strand thereto, loop forming mechanism comprising a looper rest, a looper bill movable toward and from the looper rest, and means for. successively holding loops formed by said looper bill during each reciprocation of the needle from the strand carried by the needle, said means comprising a gripper rest and a gripper arm having a reciprocating movement toward and from said gripper rest, said gripper rest and gripper arm being unitarily movable substantially at a right angle to the direction of movement of said looper bill and transversely of the path of movement of the needle during each rising movement of the needle and said gripper arm being movable relatively to said gripper rest substantially at a right angle to said rst direction of movement, the unitary movement of said gripper rest and gripper arm and the movement of said gripper arm relatively to said gripper rest being so timed with reference to the movement of the needle that the gripper arm is out of the path of the needle during the descent of the needle, i

14. In a machine of the class specified, the combination with a reciprocating needle, means for guiding a strand thereto, loop forming mechanism comprising a looper rest and a looper bill movable toward and from the looper rest and operative during e-ach reciprocation of the needle to form a loop from a strand carried by the needle, means for holding each loop as formed, said means comp-rising a gripper rest and a gripper having a reciprocating movement toward and from said gripper rest, said gripper rest and gripper having a unitary swinging movement substantially at a right angle to the reciprocating movement of the gripper, a stationary gripper rest, an additional gripper having a reciprocating movement toward and from said stationary rest, and a cutting mechanism cooperating with the loop forming and holding mechanisms and operative to sever each loop as formed while it is held by the first-named gripper rest and gripper arm.

15. A sewing machine comprising a worksupport, a throat plate, feeding devices Working through said throat plate, said throat plate being adapted to support a fabric having lines of al# ready formed stitching thereon, and means including a reciprocating needle for forming a line of stitching in the fabric, said throat plate having a tongue slotted at its free end to permit passage of the needle therethrough, a groove on each side of said tongue and a raised boss adjacent the other end of said tongue for separating lines of already formed stitches and directing the same into said grooves and keep said stitching out of the Way of the needle.

16. In a device of the character described, a throat plate including a tongue having a needle receiving slot at one end thereof, said plate havplate also having a tongue extending from onev end of said slot, said tongue being slotted at its free end to permit reciprocation of a needle therethrough, said plate having on its upper surface a boss adjacent the end of said tongue opposite the needle slot and grooved portions at the sides of the raised boss.

18. In a'machine of the character described, including a reciprocating needle adapted to pass through a fabric, means for guiding a strand to said needle, and a loop forming mechanism adapted to form a loop in the thread carried by the needle after the latter passes through the fabric, means for holding and moving said loop in the' direction of movement of the fabric in the machine, means operative to hold the loop after it has been moved by said rst mentioned holding means, during the remainder of the reciprocation of the needle in completing the succeeding loop, a cutter operative to cut the loop while it is on the loop-forming mechanism, and a needle guide movable into position to guide the needle after it has passed through the fabric and movable out of the way of the cutter when the needle is withdrawn from the fabric.

19. In a machine lof the dass specified, in-

cluding a work support, a reciprocating needle adapted to carry strands through the Work suplport and the work thereon and means for guiding a strand to the needle, and a looper adapted to form a loop in the strand carried by the needle beyond the work support, gripping means operative to grip such loop and move it in the direction of movement of the Work in the machine,

and means cooperating with said gripping means for holding said loop during the entire reciprocation of the needle in the formation of the succ eeding loop.

20. In a machine ofthe class specii'ied, including a reciprocating needle operative to carry a strand through a Work support and the work thereon, means for guiding the strand to said needle, and a looper operative to form a loop in the strand carried by the needle beyond the Work support, loop gripping means comprising a gripper operative to grip a strand of the said loop and move it in the direction of movement of the Work in the machine, and a second loop gripping means operative to grip and retain the said strand in its new position While the first mentionedgripper returns to its position to grip the next loop.

21. A machine as defined in claim 20, including a cutter operative to cut said loops.

22. A machine as defined in claim 20, in which the second loop gripping means is positioned `between the Work and the rst mentioned gripper at the completion of the movement of the latter in the direction of the movementI of the Work.

23. In a machine of the class specified, the combination with a reciprocating needle adapted to pass through Work in the machine, of a looper movable toward and from the position ofthe needle after the latter passes through the work and-having a slot therein, a cutter movable into said slot to cut the loop on the looper, and a.

needle guide movable into position beside the needle after the needle passes through the Work and movable therefrom as the needle is withdrawn and before the cutter moves into said slot.

24. In a machine of the class specified, the combination with a reciprocating needle adapted to'pass through Work in the machine, a looper movable toward and from the position of the needle after the latter passes through the Work and having a slot therein, a cutter movable into said slot to cut the loop on the looper, and a needle guide movable into a position beside the needle on the side of the needle away from the direction of feed of the Work and movable from such position. when the needle is withdrawn to permit the cutter to move into said slot.

25. In a machine of the class specified, the combination with a reciprocating needle adapted to pass through work in the machine, of a looper movable toward and from the position of the needle after the latter passes through the work, a cutter movable toward and from the looper to sever the loops thereon and a reciprocating'needle guide adapted to contact with the side of the needle opposite to the direction from which the work moves.

26. In a machine of the class specified, including a Work support, a reciprocating needle adapted to pass through said Work support, means for guiding a strand to said needle, and a looper adapted to form a loop in the strand carried by the needle beyond said Work support, loop gripping means comprising a gripper arm fixed against movement laterally of the' needle and a second gripper arm mounted to reciprocate laterally of the needle, said gripper arms being mounted to rock on a common axis, in the direction of movement of the Work through the machine, and means for separately rocking said gripper arms.

27. In a machine of the class specified, the combination with a reciprocating needle adapted to pass through work in the machine, of a looper movable toward and from the position of the needle after the latter passes through the work, a cutter movable toward and from the looper to sever the loops thereon and a reciprocating guide adapted to contact with the needle after it passes through the Work.

28. In a machine of the character'described, including a reciprocating needle adapted to 'pass through a fabric, means for guiding a strand to 'said needle, and a loop forming mechanism adapted to form a loop in the strand carried by the needle after the latter passes through the fabric, a gripper arm adapted to `reciprocate latorally-of the path of the Work-to a position adjacent a fixed abutment and means for holding means for holding and moving the loops in the direction of movement of the work and a gripper adapted to retain the loops in their advanced position.

30. In a machine of the class specified including a reciprocating needle, a looper movable toward and from the position of the needle after the latter passes through the work, loop gripping means comprising a gripper arm -adapted to reciprocate laterally of the path of movement'of the Work to a position adjacent an abutment and a pair of grippers adapted to grip strands of the loops and move them forwardly into the path of re'ciprocation of the first mentioned grippers.

3l. In a machine of therclass specified including a reciprocating needle, a looper movable toward and from the position of the needle after the latter passes through the work, loop gripping means comprising a gripper adapted to grip a strand of the loop after the needle is withdrawn from the looper and to move the same forwardly out of the path of the needle, and a second `gripping means adapted to grip the strand in its advanced position'while the first mentioned loop gripping means returns to its position to grip the strand of the next loop.

32. In a machine of the class specified including a work support, a reciprocating needle, a looper adapted to form a loop in a strand carriedI by the needle beyond the work support, means for holding and moving a strand of said loop lin the4 direction of movement of the Work through the machine, and means for gripping a strand of said loop while the said holding and moving means returns and grips a strand of the next loop.

33. A machine as defined in claim 32, in which the looper is slotted and a cutter is provided to pass into said slot and cut a loop on the looper.

34. In a machine of the class specified including a Work support, a reciprocating needle, a looper adapted to form loops in a strand carried by the needle beyond the Work support, a gripper adaptedto hold and move a strand of the loop in the direction of movement of the work in the machine and a gripper adapted to retain the strand of said loop passing through the needle until the said first mentioned gripper returns to 6 its position and grips a -strand of the next loop.

JULIAN GUY RUSSELL.v 

